Spring 2024 is here, and there is a lot to do

It’s Spring and you know what that means! The seasonal businesses in the Thompson Okanagan are opening and getting ready to welcome you. Farmers’ markets, wineries, cideries, golf courses, fruit stands, and so much more. Here is a Spring guide for the best local food and drink the Thompson Okanagan has to offer.

Farmers’ Markets

The Thompson Okanagan has over 20 farmers markets in almost every part of the region. They are the perfect place to experience slow-food and farm-to-table freshness. Not only are the markets filled with produce but they also include local vendors, small businesses, and artisans so you can support local. In peak Spring and Summer you don’t even have to go to the grocery store! Learn more about what the Farmers’ Markets have to offer by visitng our “Farmer's Markets in the Thompson Okanagan” blog:

Images by Kelly Funk

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Wineries, Ciders and Distilleries

It’s wine tasting season! The wineries of Thompson Okanagan are open and gearing up for another great season. Spring is the perfect time to tour wineries before the summer rush. With more than 80 varietals planted in BC, you are bound to find the perfect taste, body, and texture of wine to fit your preferences. The Thompson Okanagan is such a unique place to grow wine with four beautiful regions all expressing their own flavours and wine styles. You can embark on a guided, or self-guided tour to the Similkameen Valley, Okanagan Valley, the Shuswap, or the Thompson Valley, and experience what the wines of B.C. have to offer.

Many wineries have events, tours and unique tasting experiences to offer you more than just a tasting throughout the Spring and Summer. By going to your favourite winery or city event pages, you can see what is happening at the local the wineries.

Image by Destination BC/Kari Medig

Guided and Self-Guided tours

There are many great wine trails that are the ultimate guide when it comes to first time tasters, or visitors looking to find a new spot. Wine trails offer you the chance to take yourself on a self-guided tour to as many stops as you like. There are even guided tours that often follow the wine trials’ routes to make your journey safe and fun for all. Some of these guides can be found on city event pages:

Wine tour companies

If you wanted to drive your self, or only stop at a few here are some great wine trails to follow

Kamloops Wine Trail - @kamloopswinetrail

Scenic Sip - @scenicsip

Westside Wine Trail - @​​westsidewinetrail

Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive - @bottleneckdrive

Naramata Bench Wines - @naramatawines

The Heart of Wine Country  - @theheartofwinecountry

Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country - @uncorkthesun

Similkameen Indep. Winegrowers - @Similkameenwine

Keep an eye out for special events throughout the Spring and Summer seasons. Book a reservation to guarantee your spot for a tasting and find details about your favourite wineries tasting fees and operating hours on their website.

Looking for more than just wine?

If you're looking to expand your wine tour, the Thompson Okanagan has more to offer than just great wine – Throw in a stop at a cidery along the way. Or better yet, a distillery! There are so many great cideries and distillers next door to your favourite wine shops. Often cideries have great patios, snacks and areas to hang out. It can be a great family outing, with many cider houses having games, and room for kids to run around. Distilleries can be a great choice for a date night, or a unique happy hour. With 23 different distilleries to choose from, you are bound to taste something different in everywhere you travel to. Upgrade your bar with award winning spirits, support small businesses, and taste local flavours.

Image by @woodwardciderco

The season for patio sipping and vineyard hopping is here!

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Fore!

The greens have been groomed, the club houses are open and the sun is out. It sounds like golf season.

The golf courses of the Thompson Okanagan are ready for you! There is a golf course in every single region of the Thompson Okanagan, with Kelowna having the second most golf courses in B.C. Come and enjoy the beauty of golfing in the Thompson Okanagan and experience views of vineyards, mountains looking over lakes, and manicured and desert-like fairways.

Image by Darren Robinson Image by Destination BC/Andrew Penner

Try golfing in Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, and Shuswap for some well-known, breathtaking courses. Or venture outside those cities for hidden gems and quiet courses.

The Thompson Okanagan is open and ready to welcome you this Spring and Summer! Check out accommodations on cities websites and make sure to reserve your spots at your favuorite wineries to guarantee a spot.

Written by Caroline Peterson

A local who went from the lower mainland to the Okanagan. As a student with a passion for tourism, she aims to highlight the Thompson Okanagan experience with a fresh, adventurous perspective.

Celebrating the Wonders of Winter

Sun Peaks Resort by Destination BC/Ryan Creary

Visitors see some of the best views in the Thompson Okanagan while celebrating one of the “coolest” seasons the region offers - winter. Winter blankets the region in frost-covered trails and snow-capped mountains while unlocking a variety of things to do while you stay a while in the Thompson Okanagan.

Fat Bike along the Snowy Trails

The snow-covered trails invite you to try a different type of biking: fat biking. Using a bike with oversized tires will allow you to bike through the snowiest conditions, so you don't have to hang up your helmet just yet! Check out the winter trails and let your fat bike take you around the beautiful Thompson Okanagan.

Fat Biking through a tunnel in Myra Canyon, Kelowna by Thompson Okanagan/Matthew Clark

Ice Fishing

Wintertime in the Thompson Okanagan doesn’t mean the end of fishing season for the dedicated angler. With warm socks, mittens, toques, and a bit of patience, you can catch a fish even during the coldest season of the year. Spend the day with Elevated Fishing Adventures and experience a fully guided fishing tour at Sun Peaks. 

Mountain Resorts

There are seven mountain resorts for you to enjoy during your stay in the Thompson Okanagan. Each mountain offers a different view and landscape for you to traverse, regardless of whether you choose to snowboard or ski. Maybe you want to slow it down a bit during your stay? The mountain resorts in the region offer more than just snowboarding and skiing. Enjoy family fun activities like tubing, skating, and snowshoeing.

Snowboarding at Apex Mountain Resort by Destination BC/Ben Giesbrecht

Local Flavours for Après-ski (or Anytime this Winter)

Traditionally, après-ski or after skiing involves celebrating a successful day of skiing with a glass of champagne while enjoying great food and even better company at the ski lodge. However, the Thompson Okanagan offers a wide variety of local flavours for you to enjoy after any winter activity. 

Farm-to-Table

Farms, orchards, and other local growers may have long finished their growing season while you are celebrating winter in the Thompson Okanagan. However, there is no shortage of local restaurants offering dishes made with regional produce.

Wineries

Although the vines have long stopped growing and the trees have lost their leaves, many tasting rooms around the region are open during the winter. Regardless of which area you decide to visit, there are wine trails throughout the region with plenty of varietals for you to try and enjoy.

District Wine Village

The wonder of the Thompson Okanagan winter has made its way further south into Oliver this year with District Wine Village’s new synthetic ice rink. Visitors can enjoy an afternoon of typical winter wonder skating on CAN-ICE, tasting delicious BC wines, or pair the two with skiing or snowboarding at Mount Baldy with their “Chill and Thrill” offer.

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About the author

Nadia is a proud former Thompson Okanagan tourist who now lives in beautiful Kelowna, BC. She hopes to tell the stories of the region’s beauty and hidden treasures while rediscovering the destination she spent enjoying on family vacations.

Local Winter Flavours

Post-ski meal at Sun Peaks Resort by Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe

With its snow-capped mountain landscapes and cozy valley vibes the Thompson Okanagan invites you to enjoy the season and the local flavours of the region. Winter brings shorter days, cooler temperatures, and amazing local food and beverage festivals, events, and markets. 

The region is home to the second-largest wine-producing area in Canada. Following the fall harvest, the wineries, cideries, breweries, and local food producers are ready for you to taste their incredible offerings.

Festivals, events, and markets are a great way to experience several different food and beverage options at once, and there is a variety to attend this winter season.

Food

Apex Mountain Resort, Hoodoo Adventure Company, Maple Leaf Spirits, and Lake Breeze Winery are pairing up to create the ultimate winter adventure and dining experience. After a two-hour guided snowshoe along the beautiful snowy trails at Apex, snuggle up and enjoy a delicious farmstead-to-table dinner while sipping beverages by the fire. This event is happening on January 24, 2024.

Dine Around the Thompson Okanagan features BC VQA wines, BC Beer and Spirits, and delicious food from restaurants in and around Kelowna. This 17-day event offers three-course dining menus from over 50 local restaurants at price points starting at $25-$65 per person. With so many options, there is something for everyone! Dine Around the Thompson Okanagan is happening from January 17 to February 2, 2024.

The Vernon Winter Carnival has been an annual celebration of the season since 1961, with the historical event estimated to have started in the late 1800s. The carnival combines winter activities with delicious food and beverages. With 10 days of entertainment, art, and food and beverage events the Vernon Winter Carnival is an amazing way to celebrate the wonders of winter while enjoying the region’s local flavours. The events start on February 2, 2024.

Beverages

WINTER SIPS - South is happening on January 20, 2024, at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. This event kicks off the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival and features BC VQA wine tasting from regional producers, small bites, and live entertainment. The following weekend, head up to Kelowna’s food and music hub - The Revelry, for WINTER SIPS - North, on January 27, 2024. There is no better way to spend a cool Thompson Okanagan afternoon than sipping on BC wines paired with entertainment and great food. 

The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival continues down further south at District Wine Village with Winterfest at the District. On January 20 and 21 head to Oliver with your TASTE Passport, to explore the district and enjoy and explore BC wines from the southern part of the region.  

If you’re looking to pair up your tasting experience this season with a bit of adventure, look no further than Apex Mountain Resort in Penticton. There is a wine-tasting adventure and a brewery adventure both happening this winter up at The Gunbarrel Saloon. On February 3 join in some après-ski wine tasting with paired appetizers from The Gunbarrel Saloon during the Vertical & Vintages event. If your after-adventure beverage choice is a local craft beer, join them on March 2 for Brewski, featuring samples from over 20 breweries.

Farmers Markets

One of the best ways to celebrate and enjoy the flavours of the region is by supporting local and attending farmers’ markets. The Thompson Okanagan has several farmers’ markets that feature produce, baking, and other local goods. Some of these markets offer an indoor, winter version, so you can enjoy the local flavours of the Thompson Okanagan even in the winter. 

Armstrong Farmers’ Market

Barriere Farmers’ Market

Kamloops Farmers’ Market

Kelowna Farmers’ Market

Salmon Arm Farmers’ Market

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About the author

Nadia is a proud former Thompson Okanagan tourist who now lives in beautiful Kelowna, BC. She hopes to tell the stories of the region’s beauty and hidden treasures while rediscovering the destination she spent enjoying on family vacations.

Where The Food Tells The Story

Thompson Okanagan

Slow food equals good food: good for the people who grow it, good for you the consumer, and good for the planet. The Thompson Okanagan is the perfect place for the farm-to-table and slow food philosophy. Purchasing locally sourced produce, meats, and dairy products is a familiar practice for the casual eateries, family-friendly spots and fine dining experiences in the Thompson Okanagan. Food here reflects the people who grow it, make it, and serve it. Locals, as well as visitors, have the chance to make an impact for small businesses and farmers when they choose to eat and shop locally sourced products and enjoy meals at establishments that prioritize serving farm-to-table.

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Boundary Country

Grand Forks

Fuelling your morning adventure or afternoon lunch hours is Boundary Country’s The Wooden Spoon. Locally sourced ingredients are integral to the passionately made soups, sauces, breads, and pastries. The owner and chef is excited to offer a seasonal menu that reflects the flavours of the season, implementing a slow-food approach that relies on fresh, local ingredients to create their dishes.

Open Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

221 Market Ave, Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0

Photo by Boundary Country Tourism/Tina Bryan

Greenwood

A Highway 3 must stop in Greenwood is Deadwood Junction. It’s worth trying their fair trade coffee and browsing their shop that supports locals. They offer coffee and bakery options and feature local artisan gifts and antiques.

Open every day 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

502 Silver St, Greenwood, BC V0H 1J0

North Thompson Valley

Clearwater

BC’s highest-rated smokehouse is providing Clearwater and the North Thompson Valley with locally sourced beef and pork. Hop "N" Hog also sources locally crafted ales, lagers, and ciders. They are always striving for organic options for their food and beverages.

Open May to October 5:00 p.m. to late.

424 Clearwater Valley Rd, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N1

Photo by @hopnhog

Clearwater and Wells Gray

A slow coffee break awaits you with freshly roasted beans from Nelson, B.C. at Wild Flour Bakery Cafe. Their wild, fresh, organic food creates nourishing meals that embody slow food and display passion for locally sourced ingredients.

Open Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.

343 Clearwater Valley Rd, Clearwater BC, V0E1N2 

Valemount

Small town brews are a great way to casually check out what North Thompson Valley has to offer. Three Ranges Brewing Co. sources local ingredients as often as they can to provide locals and seasonal travelers with their big flavour beers. “Great mountain water makes great beer,” says owner.

Open Wednesday to Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.

1160 5th Ave, Valemount, BC, VOE 2Z0

Photo by @threerangesbrewing

South Thompson Valley

Kamloops

Seasonal flavours and farm-to-table freshness is what you can expect in the peaks and hills of the Kamloops in the South Thompson. Unique tastes and personality is what Kamloops offers. Learn more about Kamloops and its growing food scene at Great Taste of Canada.

North Okanagan

Vernon

This charming small town provides big flavours for locals and tourists year round. Enjoy seasonal fresh foods that coincide with Vernon’s hot summers and picturesque winters. See what’s going on at Great Taste of Canada.

Central Okanagan

Kelowna 

The Central Okanagan has no shortage of agriculture to supply its iconic food destinations, contribute to the growing breweries, cideries, and distilleries scenes, and pair with locally made BC wines. Kelowna’s wine country and bustling city is ready to serve locally sourced meals. Check out Great Taste of Canada for more information.

Photo by Destination BC/Kari Medig

South Okanagan

Penticton

Reflecting the bounty of the land BRODO Kitchen, Italian for "broth," combines Italian cuisine with Okanagan grown foods. With their unique soup flights and Chef Paul Cecconi's motto “simply fresh food,” BRODO Kitchen’s enthusiasm for South Okanagan grown food is displayed in every dish.

Open Monday to Friday 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

483 Main Street, Penticton BC, V2A 5C4

Penticton

Intrigued by history Tin Whistle Brewing Co. purposely invests interest into the South Okanagan’s history to see how they can include slow food practices into their beer making. Focusing on the taste of beer, just as much as their environmental footprint, is at the top of Tin Whistles priorities. Connecting and maintaining the beauty and agriculture of the South Okanagan is integral to this brewery's business.

Open every day 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday Saturday till 8:00 p.m.

Unit 118 - 1475 Fairview Rd, Penticton, BC V2A 7J3

Photo by @thetinwhistle

Naramata

The Thompson Okanagan is home to the Naramata Bench which is known for its wine making and growing sites. The village of Naramata obtained its designation of CittaSlow in 2004, which validates the village as a “Slow City”. The association known as CittaSlow rewards cities and towns with this status to highlight the year-round efforts and attention to the slow food philosophy. Naramata achieved the status of a CittaSlow village because it follows the 72 requirements for quality outlined by the association to ensure farm-fresh food that is good for the community and the environment.

Naramata

Estate grown, locally farmed, and family owned are the key pillars of The Restaurant at Poplar Grove and align with slow food philosophy. Popular Grove includes locally sourced ingredients from the Okanagan in their restaurant alongside their estate grown BC wines. Popular Grove states their food philosophy as primarily looking at the farmers then adapting with the seasons.

Open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the wine shop and 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the restaurant.

425 Middle Bench Road North, Penticton, BC V2A 8S5

Photo by Destination BC/Kari Medig

Oliver

Seasonal products and a commitment to sustainable practice is what you can expect at Miradoro Restaurant, a partnership with Tinhorn Creek Winery. Visitors and locals can enjoy an elegant yet casual experience in the Okanagan wine country. Excellent pairings between locally sourced ingredients and wine are what you can expect at Miradoro.

Open March through December 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

537 Tinhorn Creek Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Photo by @tinhorncreek

Oliver

Investing in the local food economy by supporting its producers is the mission of Oliver Eats. By creating an alliance between chefs, farmers, and grassroots organizations, Oliver Eats fosters a slow food environment that embraces their agricultural neighbours. Fresh food is what you will eat at Oliver Eats.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

6060 Station St, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Photo by @olivereatsltd

Osoyoos

Osoyoos celebrates agricultural and culinary achievements as well as working hard to maintain the quality and freshness unique to the Thompson Okanagan. Perfect climate, with hot day-time temperatures and lake breezes makes Osoyoos a prime agricultural site. Learn about their farm-to-table produce, meats, and more by going to Great Taste of Canada.

Gold Country

Cache Creek

Locals’ favorite and a travelers’ hidden gem is Hungry Herbie's in Cache Creek. With a promise for “fresh, quality food,” the classic burger and fried chicken stop will fill you up after your day of adventures. Over 63 years of business, Herbie’s maintains the value that fast food can still mean fresh food.  

Open Wednesday to Monday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

1301 Cariboo Hwy, Cache Creek, BC V0K 1H0

Photo by Thompson Okanagan/Allen Jones

Merritt

Indigenous cuisine embodies slow food and great taste with the understanding that we take only what we need. Kekuli Café offers organic, and Fair-Trade espresso, as well as fresh food and, as their slogan, “Don’t panic… we have Bannock” suggests, bannock. Kekuli Café ensures that they operate with the mindset that they are the caretakers of Mother Earth and have a relationship with all living things.

Open every day 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and till 4:00 p.m. on weekends.

2051 Voght St, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8

Photo by Indigenous Tourism BC/Brendin Kelly/ Kekuli Cafe

Similkameen Valley

Cawston

Agility and ability to move with the seasons is necessary for slow food, and Row Fourteen Restaurant at Klippers is just that with a taste of the Similkameen Valley. The unique valley is considered the organic capital of Canada and Row Fourteen focuses their efforts towards cultivating a better relationship between organic produce and creative cuisine. Celebrate slow food and the bountiful Similkameen Valley at Row Fourteen Restaurant.

Open every day noon to 8:00 p.m. for separate lunch and dinner services

725 Mackenzie Road, Cawston, BC

Photo by @vineyard.videos posted on @klippersorganics

Keremeos

Eat, sleep, and repeat at Tree to Me Inn. This certified organic farm, bistro, and accommodations provides its visitors with the Similkameen Valley experience. Even The Tree to Me Market will inspire anyone to take the farm fresh food home and try their hand at creating dishes inspired by local produce.

Open Monday to Tuesday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday to Sunday till 8:00 p.m.

Tree to Me Inn 1217 Hwy 3A Keremeos, BC V0X 1N4

Shuswap

Agriculturally rich, the Shuswap is where farmers and chefs turn to when they want the best crop. This perfectly placed, four-season destination, produces quality and quantity. See what you can do and enjoy while in the Shuswap at Great Taste of Canada.

Photo by Nic Collar

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The Thompson Okanagan is filled with an abundance of food for the every day home chef, locals who are looking for their new favourite spot to eat, as well as travelers interested in farm-to-table experiences. Intimately connect with the Thompson Okanagan through slow food and enjoy the story that the local food tells.

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Written by Caroline Peterson

BC local, Caroline has lived in the lower mainland but now resides in in the Okanagan. Currently a student, Caroline is hoping to use what she learns in school to highlight, and create interest around the Thompson Okanagan with a fresh, and new perceptive.

Farmer's Markets in the Thompson Okanagan

This spring, we would like to take the opportunity to discuss why it’s important to shop local by highlighting the farmers’ markets throughout the region and showcasing the elements that go along with them. The Thompson Okanagan has a strong agricultural and artisan presence for us all to enjoy.

By supporting the small and local businesses within the region, every dollar goes directly to the farmers, bakers, and vendors which fuels the local economy. Purchasing directly from growers in the region is just one way we can promote the local communities, and agriculture to better the environment for future generations to come. Visiting farmer's markets allows us to not only support a fellow neighbour, but to receive our groceries knowing they have traveled less than 300 km from the field to our plates, compared to the standard North American meal, which travels over 2400 km. Appreciate the bountiful harvest and enjoy the comfort of knowing where your foods and goods are coming from and who’s helped to grow and create them.

Shopping at a local Farmer’s Market directly relates to The 7 Affirmations for 7 Generations Thompson Okanagan Pledge and the 6th affirmation, “Choose to buy locally and you’ll transform riches into enrichment”. Shopping locally is not only about the food and the earth, but it’s also about connection with the people.

Explore the Regional Markets by Sub Region

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Written by Ann-Marie Livingston

Ann-Marie is a Thompson Okanagan local who enjoys traveling, exploring, and taking part in highlighting all local tourism-related initiatives. She encourages her fellow locals and visitors to support the incredible small businesses home to the region and to celebrate the diversity they bring to each community. 

The Paisley Notebook: Telling Stories With Food & Supporting Local Farmers

“Put simply: I tell stories with food.”

— Aman Dosanj

Aman Dosanj is inspiring curiosity and change in our relationship to food while building an inclusive community through unique stories and experiences. After moving to Canada from England in 2008, Aman owned and operated Poppadoms Restaurant in Kelowna, BC, together with her family. Now, she is revolutionizing the food industry with The Paisley Notebook, showcasing Canada's abundance and turning locals into tourists. 

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inspiring change

During her pop-up dinners, Aman creates "Edible Adventures" for guests with an ever-changing array of flavours and stories inspired by local, seasonal ingredients as much as the farmers who grow them. Her staff also happen to be her family - if you get the chance to attend one of her events, you'll likely find Aman's Mum helping out and brother Harry serving up delicious handcrafted Cocktails. Every dinner is different, beautifully imperfect and authentic to its intention. Though food is the unifying thread through her work, Aman's mission goes far beyond.

“The project has always been about building a bigger, more inclusive table, encouraging people to be open-minded, ask questions and get excited and curious about the place we live in. It also highlights great people who deserve the recognition, levelling up the playing field - I know how to spot an underdog. ”

— Aman Dosanj

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Supporting local farmers

Locations for pop-up dinners are always changing and never fail to amaze. Honest Food Farm in Cawston, part of the "Sourced Dinner Series," is named after their nature - Organic fruits, vegetables and flowers grown in the heart of sunny Similkameen Valley by people who genuinely care to do what feels right over what's fast or easy. Brandie and Yuri work hard to provide only the highest quality, nourishing, and flavourful food to their families and communities. By sourcing from local farmers and taking guests behind the scenes on a farm tour, Aman opens local's eyes to the abundance of produce available right in our backyard.

Supporting local will increase the quality of food on your plate, but it also means supporting small family businesses who put great emphasis on promoting sustainability within our region and beyond.

Yuri & Brandie - Honest Food Farm

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Cultivating Community - apart but together

Pre-Pandemic, The Paisley Notebook was hosting events on one long table, inspiring connections through a family dining experience. Aman has re-thought how to cultivate community at "six feet together," prioritizing guests' health and safety without compromising the essence and magic of the collective experience. Guests have been feeling safe and well taken care of, thanks to Aman's attention to detail and dedication to going above and beyond in everything she does.

“It has been a rollercoaster, but it’s all about redirecting your energy. The guests I cook for are the most amazing people, it’s truly a values-based group, and I’m so grateful to share these experiences with them. ”

— Aman Dosanj

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To learn more about Aman's story, projects and passions visit the Paisley Notebook Website & Follow along on Instagram @PaisleyNotebook. (Pro tip: to be one of the first to know about upcoming events and for a chance to buy tickets before they sell out - sign up for The Paisley Notebook newsletter.) 

Read more about how Aman and her business have adjusted to the changes brought on by COVID-19 on the Tourism Resiliency Network Website as part of the “Stories of Resilience” series.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucie has been calling the Okanagan home since 2011, after moving overseas from a tiny town with a high cow population in southern Germany. She has a serious love for travel, music and languages - seeking to continuously grow and broaden her perspective. As a writer and Yoga teacher, Lucie hopes to inspire community, compassion, and a conscious way of living.

Building a community one brew at a time

Illustration by Lisa Ranney

It’s not very often that a business is validated by a stranger who has no input or buy-in to your plan, but for Susi Foerg, an ah-ha moment helped coalesce everything she envisioned for her dream.

Four years ago, Foerg was on a weekend trip to the Sunshine coast when she stopped by Persephone Brewing Company for a pint. Persephone Brewing Company is well known by craft beer lovers for their well-developed brews, but what struck Foerg was the balance between beer and community. You see, the microbrewery does far more than just brew beer—it’s also a self-sustaining 11-acre farm with a focus on community agriculture. Foerg was inspired—so inspired in fact, she started to ruminate on how she could replicate the good work being down in Gibsons right here in Kelowna.

With a background in finance and banking, Foerg had a deep understanding and respect for the requirements of developing a sound business model. But she also knew that one of the intrinsic values of a business owner is understanding customer needs. 

“I had always enjoyed working with clients, listening to their challenges and helping them find solutions to their banking needs,” she says. Applying that customer service-driven approach, Foerg developed a business plan for a farmhouse brewery in Kelowna that would focus on community, environment and employees as business priorities.

However, as in life, business plans sometimes must change. The Provincial Agricultural Land Commission, also known as the Agricultural Land Reserve or ALR, exists in British Columbia to assure the preservation of agricultural land. Requirements for building a farmhouse brewery in Kelowna on existing agricultural land meant very stringent regulations would need to be met, including the production of 50 per cent of the grain that was needed for the brewery would have to be grown on the land.

“That meant I’d need to grow about 20 acres of grain,” says Foerg ruefully, which was not a financial option. So, as entrepreneurs need to be nimble, she started thinking about ways to fine-tune the values of Persephone Brewing—which were non-negotiable for her own vision—and develop a brewery that incorporated those ideals.

“I tweaked my business plan and decided I need to do some research to make sure I had developed the plan appropriately,” says Foerg. In order to take the leap, she decided to rent out a suite in her house and go to Vancouver for several months and work at a brewery there to develop a deeper knowledge and skill set. But how to find a reliable tenant? (and here’s the ah-ha moment …)

“I decided to post my suite on my private social networks rather than publicly,” says Foerg. Meanwhile, a local woman who had recently escaped an abusive relationship was about to lose her short-term emergency housing and faced homelessness. Through a series of conversations, Foerg was able to provide safe housing and assure herself that her home would be cared for while she perused her dream, while providing the woman a safe and anonymous place to rebuild her life. Foerg’s decision to change her career and build a business that would focus on community, impacted a stranger in a deeply meaningful way.

“That’s when I knew I was on the right path,” says Foerg.

Taking what she learned from her time researching community-based social enterprise, as well as her time at Electric Bicycle Brewing in Vancouver, Foerg returned to Kelowna ready to hit the ground running.

Four years later, Rustic Reel Brewing is open for business, featuring local products and leading the charge on building relationships with supporting the local community, the environment and employees. 

“As a business owner with 23 employees, it’s my responsibility to learn from experiences and provide a job that works around people's lives—the brewery is my life, not my employees’,” she explains.

“I want any employee to understand that I know that this professional relationship has to work so that people are happy,” she continues. With that in mind, Foerg has actively implemented supports for employees including extended health care benefits from the local Chamber of Commerce, as well as a dedicated time to embrace a work-life balance as a team, including group hikes and get-togethers.

“It’s important to me that we integrate staff reflection into our work, and I make sure I include self-reflection as part of my professional development,” says Foerg. “I need to be present and aware, and assure that all employees, no matter their role, feel validated and—even when time pressures mean I have to prioritize something else ahead of their needs—that they’re not unimportant to me.

“It’s easy to feel like you’ve failed every day but being a business owner means everything is a learning process with constant development and evaluation.”

With the brewery humming and the employees well cared for, it’s time to look at the community aspect of the brewery – and what a community it is. “The number-one priority for me in my personal life is animal welfare and cruelty,” says Foerg. “I never use products at home that were tested on animals, so why would I allow them to be used in my business?” The answer is a resounding no, which means nothing in the building is tested on animals. Ever.

The airy building seats 100 inside and 60 on the dog-friendly patio. The design of the brewery is not nautical, but meant to showcase the owner’s love of fishing, as well as the organic interplay of a rustic club house. The tables, the flight boxes and the wall paneling are all re-purposed by pallets and constructed by Foerg. “I sanded and planked all those,” she laughs. The design and the building is communal and family friendly, as well as welcoming to the canine members of the family. In fact, sadly, Walter, the Bernese Mountain dog featured on the design for the brewery created by local designer Lisa Ranney, passed away at the age of 11 shortly before the brewery opened, although his memory and influence lives on.

Susi and Walter, her loyal companion and the best brewery dog.

“I love to fish and this place was meant to be female friendly, so I wanted to incorporate design and colours that embody those ideas,” says Foerg. The brewery also features the Tackle Box, a market space that developed because, “we wanted to have a place where local market items could be showcased,” says Foerg.

“We feature a variety of different local products, including Taste of the Okanagan, which is a mother-daughter team whose products we use on our menu.” Other local menu items include pates, meats and cheeses from supplies across the Okanagan and lower mainland, as well as local grains. During the brewery production cycle, once the grains are spent, the environmental aspect of Foerg’s business plan comes into play. “We have two local farmers who pick up our spent grains for animal feed, but we produce breads, muffins, pretzels and other baked goods in house, including vegan and gluten-free options.

“We continue to grow and continue to focus on local suppliers,” says Foerg. “What we have on our menu and what we want to explain about the origins and sources of our product is important.”

At the end of the day, bring community together has been and is a priority for Foerg. “When you can see the impact of your work, that’s when you know you’re doing the right thing.”

About Cait Wills

Born in Vernon and raised around the world, Cait Wills is a passionate advocate for the Thompson Okanagan region. As Storyteller Specialist for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Cait is eager to showcase people, places and things in the region. If you have a suggestion on something you would like to know more about, please drop her a line at media@totabc.com.

6 New Food Ventures in Penticton

The South Okanagan has always made me swoon. The drive alone from Peachland to Summerland is enough to do just that. Recently, there’s been an explosion of new things to really kick up the food and drink scene in Penticton a notch. From our craft beer and cider trails to Asian eats to naturally fermented wines, there’s a lot going on.

Here’s an insider perspective into what’s new with hopefully just enough background to make you want to get to know them better yourself:

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Wayne & Freda

The Okanagan is known for its power to draw people back in. It is an all too familiar tale that you hear over and over again, especially as I was also one of those people. Sometimes, you need to move away in order to really see how special it really is and that’s when the magic happens.

This has been the case for Wayne and Freda’s owners, Jen and Ryan, who moved back from Vancouver to set up shop and make their romantic 10-year coffee shop dream a reality. Oh, and how they’ve blown it out of the water since opening this year.

Whether its the inviting look and feel with all its small touches by former interior decorator, Jen, the lightly caffeinated atmosphere, the sustainable choices on their menu or the tribute to both their grandparents with choice of name, Wayne and Freda is a business with intent.

“We very much wanted to create a space that would elevate the neighbourhood and connect the community. Almost daily we get to see people run into each other here. Big smiles, often even bigger hugs are exchanged. Daily, there are tables of families and friends gathered to spend time together, to joys or to soften the blows of a hard day – these moments and exchanges are the life force behind this place”, says owner, Jen.

Well, how do I top that? The Okanagan is a place where people can truly dream. W & F has been a great addition to our community. Within walking distance to pretty much everything in the downtown core, this is the perfect spot to start your day before heading to the Penticton Farmers’ Market (or any day at that), to scheme away in one of their many nooks or to just say hi.

105-249 Westminster Avenue W, Penticton

Credit: Wayne & Freda

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Sushi Genki

Husband/wife tag team originally from Kumamoto City in Japan, who made their way to Canada via the Fairmount Banff Springs hotel before deciding to call Penticton home. As a former small family business, I applaud their ballsy open hour decisions in search of some work/life balance. Closed on weekends and open until 7:30 PM on the other days, I hope more follow.

Their tiny location is buzzing with takeout orders for their stellar sushi, ramen and udon. The washroom is behind the curtain through the kitchen, so that’s a pretty cool adventure in itself. Sushi Genki has been around for a number of years, but they’re new to me, so think of it as more of a hidden eat of the Okanagan. You’re welcome!

104-95 Eckhardt Avenue E, Penticton

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JoieFarm

Winemaker/Owner, Heidi Noble is a chef turned self-taught winemaker and she makes delicious small lot wines. This year, JoieFarm has amped up their collaboration game by teaming up with Yellow Dog to conspire on a barrel-aged beer/wine hybrid called ‘Like Minds’, which is available on tap in the winery’s Picnique area.

They also continue to spark conversation with their limited release experimental label called Chic Fille. It was also an opportunity for Heidi to revisit her self-taught roots and an opportunity for apprentice winemaker, Alyssa Hubert to shine.

Under this label is their, now sold out, Pinot Noir Rosé, which had an incredible raspberry lemonade colour to it with added sparkle, a Gewürztraminer that was left on skins for a sexy pink hue, a Pinot Blanc and two Pinot Noirs (fruit from the same vineyard, one fermented with ambient yeast and the other fermented with a Burgundian cultured yeast strain). In their words, ‘This collection is fun, flavourful, très chic adventure: a tour of cool-climate, lake-moderated terroir at its purest and natural winemaking techniques at their most elegant.’

The Picnique area is open with Benton Cheese, True Grain Baguettes and Oyama Sausage providing snacks for a non-pretentious, picnic blanket filled winery experience overlooking the lake. I was fortunate enough to have a tasting with Alyssa who was working the outdoor tasting bar that day. If you go, ask for her.

2825 Naramata Road, Naramata

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Gusto Ferrari

How does a woodfire pizza besides the Penticton Rec. Centre sound? Random and awesome is the answer. Family owned and operated by a real life northern Italian family, with Chef/wife, Roberta in the kitchen, and husband, Flaminio, front-of-house and the kids helping to serve.

Italy is known as the land of fast cars and slow food. Opened in December 2018, The Ferrari family combines both those things with 48-hour fermented dough, sauces made from imported San Marzano tomatoes and the likes of Cannery Brewing, Truck 59 cider and a South Okanagan wine selection going hand-in-hand with the Italian stuff.

Another random fact is that Flaminio used to sell pizza ovens in Italy, so it’s definitely safe to say pizza is their forte with around 15 pies on offer.

201 Okanagan Avenue E, Penticton

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Creek & Gully Cider

This is what happens when two former Joy Road Catering alumni’s with farming backgrounds put their brains together and take a chance.

The unfortunate reality of our food system means that there is little economic value in organic apples nowadays. So, first time small business owners, Kaleigh Jorgensen and Annalise Simonsen decided to turn their orchard’s apples into cider with their Slow Food thinking philosophies in mind.

In their words, ‘We believe small actions have a big impact’.

With 4 releases in their portfolio, there is one thing in common: their ciders are made using just one ingredient - apples! Leaning towards drier styles with no added sugar or water, they let the cocktail of apples do the talking with natural fermentations and a bit of Okanagan sparkle.

Credit: Creek & Gully Cider

You can meet the ladies, as well as Spooky the dog, in their beautiful ‘cider cathedral’, have a tasting in thrifted mis-matched glassware or sip on their natural cold pressed juices. Oh yeah, I should mention that this is a cidery where the apples come directly from their orchard(s) and you’re welcome to wander and ask questions. They’re down the road from Poplar Grove Cheese and Lock & Worth for a really diverse tour of ‘The Bench’.

1053 Poplar Grove Road, Penticton

Credit: Creek & Gully Cider

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Neighbourhood Brewing

Ok, this one is exciting.

The BC Ale Trail has been exploding with craft brewers popping up everywhere. Port Moody is home to some excellent breweries, including Yellow Dog. Now, the Yellow Dog family is expanding with a second location in Penticton. The head brewer from Yellow Dog relocated his family to the South Okanagan, meaning we’re seriously stepping up our brew game with Neighbourhood Brewing. Another cool thing to see is the support from their neighbours at Cannery, Bad Tattoo and Slack Water, to name a few.

Although they haven’t been able to break ground on their building yet, they have recently launched their brand new beers in cans. Good things come to those who wait and all.

187 Westminster Avenue, Penticton

Credit: Neighbourhood Brewing

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Doing things the right way is often the hardest way. Good people deserve good things, and when we support small, independent or family-run spots, your spending choices really does matter and make a difference. I closed the doors of my own family-run restaurant in 2016, but I always promised to do what I can to try and help.

The Okanagan is this change that’s happening and that’s pretty bloody exciting to watch.

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About Aman Dosaj and the Paisley Notebook

Food geek, marketing geek, former England footballer (soccer), people watcher, middle child, Slow Food member, adventurer, imperfect environmentalist, storyteller, and just weird enough to be interesting. The former Western Living Magazine ‘Foodie of the Year’, organizes pop up dinners across the Okanagan aimed at bringing the community together. The Paisley Notebook was the winner of the ‘Culinary Tourism Experience’ category at the 2018 Canadian Tourism Awards, and a two-time finalist in the BC Tourism Industry Awards ‘Remarkable Experiences’ category, and has raised over $47k for local charities since 2017.

Website: PaisleyNotebook.com

Instagram: @paisleynotebook

Facebook: PaisleyNotebook

Youtube: The Paisley Notebook

Okanagan Peach Muffins

How lucky are we that we get to live in such a beautiful place, and also have such easy access to fresh local food!

Bailey Campbell

Have you ever wondered why it’s important to buy local food? Local food seems to be becoming more of a trend, with more and more people seeking out fresh, local options for produce and other goods. Even restaurants are sourcing locally grown ingredients, often using the term 'farm to table”.

But how big of an impact does eating local food really have on your health and the planet? Before I share my Peaches and Cream Streusel Muffin recipe, I’m about to give you a mini run down! 

Bailey Campbell

For the past couple years I have been trying to source local ingredients as much as possible! The easiest and most frequent way I do is by buying fruits and veggies in season at the Farmers market. First of all, it’s so much more healthy because the produce hasn’t been processed or transported long distances, so the vitamins and nutrients haven’t had as much time to break down. 

It also supports the local farmers and growers because your money goes directly to them and encourages a much more sustainable way of eating. Providing out of season fruits and veggies all year round is hard to maintain and can cause harm to the environment.

Bailey Campbell

It is also SO much better for the environment. Shipping foods across large distances can cause environmental damage by using a ton of energy to refrigerate them. Fewer chemicals are also needed to fertilize in-season fruit and veggies! 

Buying in season will also save you money! A lot of the time farmers market prices will be lower in cost because there is an increased supply of in-season fruits and vegetables which drives the price down! 

And of course, in-season produce is always fresher and tastes WAY better!!  As much as I love fresh cherries, apricots, and pears… peaches will always be my favourite fresh fruit in the Okanagan. I LOVE making summer peach tarts, peach crisp, peach sorbet, etc. This week I used some fresh peaches to whip up these Peaches and Cream Streusel Muffins.

Bailey Campbell

Bailey Campbell

They’re gluten-free, because everyone and their mom is intolerant to gluten nowadays (including myself), so the majority of all my cooking and baking is gluten-free. They’re honestly so healthy and delicious that I’ve been eating them for breakfast with my morning coffee.

Bailey Campbell

Bailey Campbell

If you wanted to get real crazy you could even serve one up with a side of vanilla ice cream for dessert. It feels good to offer wholesome, real food treats with FRESH ingredients that everyone can enjoy. Hope you enjoy them!

RECIPE:

Ingredients:

For the streusel: 

1/2 cup almond flour

1/4 cup sweetener (I used Lakanto Golden)

1/8 cup coconut oil, solid and chilled

For the muffins:

1 cup gluten-free oat flour (you can simply blend oats in a food processor or blender until fine)

1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

2 eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp melted coconut oil

1 cup peaches, cut into cubes

For the cream cheese icing:

1/4 cup cream cheese

1/8 cup powdered collagen or vanilla protein powder of your choice

1/8 cup powdered sweetener (I used Lakanto but you can sub this for icing sugar)

2-3 tbsp almond milk

Bailey Campbell

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Using a fork or potato masher, combine all the ingredients for the streusel together and mix until a crumbly mixture forms. Refrigerate until ready to use.

3. To prepare the muffins, mix together the oat flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.

4. In a separate bowl, mix together all the wet ingredients (do not add the peaches yet).

5. Combine the dry and wet ingredients and fold in peaches.

6. Line a muffin tin with 8 liners and fill cups approximately 3/4 of the way full.

7. Top each muffin generously with the chilled streusel.

8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the centre of one of the muffins comes out clean.

9. Cool for 15 minutes then drizzle the cream cheese icing over the muffins and ENJOY!

xo, Bailey 

About the Author

Bailey Campbell is a passionate food blogger who started Basics with Bails in 2017 as a way to share her food photography, as well as healthy, delicious, and accessible recipes that nourish the body and soul. Just as the name suggests, Basics with Bails is a blog to help you get back to the basics! She loves to bake, cook, exercise, drink wine, and take photos. She believes the secret to health and happiness starts from within and isn’t as complicated as everyone thinks! She hopes to inspire others to live their healthiest, BEST lives!

IG: @basicswithbails

W: basicswithbails.com

Edible Adventures

I’m all about stories and adventures. My adventures, however, always tend to be of an edible kind. Leaving my pop up dinners aside, this particular one started with a little scavenger hunt across Kelowna, sourcing local goodness for the orchestrated 3-course moveable feast to come.

Ok, the initial plan was for us to check out the sacred and very cool looking Spotted Lake in Osoyoos (I even created a dish inspired by the place in preparation), but sometimes Mother Nature interrupts adventure plans, but that’s when new plans hatch on the fly, which leads to epic new memories. So off we went to chase waterfalls at Christie Falls. Oh, wait…we also didn’t quite make it there either. With no cell service, we stopped at coordinates unknown because, well, we got hungry and there was a tranquil lake to help slow things (and us) down.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan

First up, an ‘Onion Tea’, prepared using first of the season onions that were boiled then steeped like a tea, then finished with a green onion oil to make the broth look like the lake itself. Food is precious, even if it seems abundant, so I tapped into that mindset by using all parts of the onion (zero waste and all) to reflect the ‘sacred’ nature of the lake. Did I mention that I tell stories with food?

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan

And off we went, this time to Bear Creek Provincial Park in West Kelowna. At the base of our hike, we had two choices – left, which winded around the mountain, or right, looking upwards at the wooden stairs. We opted for the not-as-widely-used stairs route, followed by the sound of water to zigzag our way. As we left the stairs behind and looked up, we noticed a tree standing tall at the very edge of a rock – a little reminder that you can grow anywhere. Thank you for the lesson, nature.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan

With a backpack loaded with our locally inspired picnic, eco-friendly water bottle and Mr. Sun making a dramatic appearance, we had to work for the rewards of lunch, but to be honest, that is the best way to feel. Food has become so accessible that eating is something we just do. My project is all about trusting my local ingredients by learning about the people and stories behind it - it’s only when you get hands-on and play with your food, do you see the value in it. That is something I try to hang onto, even with something as simple and routine as lunch.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan

As we got to the base, the landscape shifted to this shaded lush green, sounds of the stream for added ambiance and a gigantic fallen tree. It was time to make a reservation for the restaurant at the north end of the woods. In a few short moments, our naturally constructed feast magically appeared. From cheese, pickled carrots, snap peas, salad greens, duck rillette and a freshly made baguette – everything from here by people with names and faces and families and all crazy and sustainably delicious.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan

There was no wait times or delays in our food, we took our time whilst eating and enjoyed each other’s company without the usual thoughts of turnaround times and average check sizes with restaurant life. It was definitely a Slow Food-dining experience that we’d both remember for a really long time, even if our restaurant were a made-up one.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan

Finally, we ventured over to the Bear Creek beach across the road to end our 3-course meal with dessert and a familiar Okanagan Lake view. On the menu, a simple homemade chai spiced baked yogurt (using local milk) with first-of-the-season cherries. And so, our edible adventure was over.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan

The best thing about living in the Okanagan is that the Valley can make even locals feel like tourists. Each sub-region is beautifully imperfect in its own right with all its twists and turns to keep you on your toes. You definitely need to experience a place in each region to really see how magical the Okanagan is.

If you’re willing to do a little work, these adventures really are accessible to everyone. Dining in the Okanagan or supporting local doesn’t necessarily have to be really expensive to create epic food memories.

Until next time.

Today’s sustainable eats included:

• Duck Rillette from Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate

• Organic Carrots (pickled in-house), Salad Greens & Snap Peas from Crooked Sky Farm at the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market

• Organic Cherries from Forbes Farm at the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market

• Bella Stella Organic Brie and Organic Plain Yoghurt from the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market

• The Paisley Notebook’s Plum Chutney, made with last season’s Claremont Ranch Organics Plums, Brainy Bee Honey and NOMAD Cider Vinegar (by-product of the cider making process) and homemade local Raspberry Vinaigrette

• Baguette from Sprout Bread

• Abeego beeswax wraps to keep that leftover baguette alive

• Nomnomnom

About Aman Dosanj and The Paisley Notebook:

Food geek, marketing geek, former England and Arsenal footballer (soccer), people watcher, middle child, Slow Food Member, adventurer, imperfect environmentalist, storyteller, and just weird enough to be interesting. The former Western Living Magazine ‘Foodie of the Year’, organizes pop up dinners and collaborative events across the Okanagan aimed at bringing the community together. The Paisley Notebook was the winner of the ‘Culinary Tourism Experience’ category at the 2018 Canadian Tourism Awards, and a two-time finalist in the BC Tourism Industry Awards' 'Remarkable Experiences' category, and has raised over $47k for local charities since 2017.

Website: PaisleyNotebook.com

Instagram: @paisleynotebook

Facebook.com/paisleynotebook

Discover the Edible Okanagan

Where the Wild Things Are

Let me start by saying this: the Okanagan is not only a beautiful place, but a delicious place, too. When you take the time to really look at it and explore our land, you start to see things a little bit differently.

For this particular edible adventure, I met fellow Slow Food thinking friends, Kevin Kossowan (From The Wild director and multiple James Beard award nominee) and Tyler Harlton (top class little intervention winemaker of TH Wines) for a spot of foraging in Osoyoos. I’d like to also add that when your adventure starts with a dropped pin with the meeting point, you know it’s going to be a good one.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj / Apple Maps

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj / Apple Maps

Before unloading my camp stove, hefty cast iron pan, homely spice blends and knife roll, we took a little wander to see what we could scavenger hunt for a field lunch with a five-finger discount. Blue skies stretched for miles, the path ahead muddled muted desert lands with the idyllic and familiar backdrop of lush blooming vineyards further away.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

From a local perspective, the subdued trail was used for the every day - walking the dog, a leisurely stroll or pretty straightforward flat run. That wasn’t our perspective or purpose. We literally travelled to Osoyoos to eat lunch together, but it wasn’t just a lunch date, it was a four-hour experience with the freshest, most local produce around.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

Everywhere we looked, there was something new to feast on. We walked down the path, looking in every direction, losing track of each other in search of something delicious. ‘Is that…?’, ‘look over here…’ – the questions and answers kept on coming. Amongst the sameness came wild asparagus, nettles, rose petals, sumac, lamb’s quarter, pineapple weed, tarragon, mustard greens and lot and lots of poison ivy (danger is my middle name!) – all of which (minus the poison ivy) completely and magically safely edible.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

With a bucket load of food stimulus around us, we quickly came up with a plan to bust out the old camp stove and cast iron pan and set it down under a tree along the river trail. It was only until we unloaded our haul did we realize the extent of what Mother Nature gifted us. And then it was my turn to add a little Indian vibe and create some new food memories.

Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan

Mother Nature really does have your back.

When you start foraging or growing your own food, you start to see the environment as the delicious place it’s supposed to be - proving it’s not necessarily expensive to eat locally and in-season.

Just remember that the land is borrowed and it’s not only ours. Share with the other members of our little eco-system and leave enough behind.

About Aman Dosanj and The Paisley Notebook:

Food and marketing geek, former England and Arsenal footballer, people watcher, feminist, BSc Business Graduate, middle child, Virgo, planner, Slow Food Member, adventurer, From The Wild alumni, imperfect environment, storyteller, and just weird enough to be interesting. The former Poppadoms owner and Western Living Magazine ‘Foodie of the Year’ organizes pop up dinners and collaborative events across the Okanagan aimed at bringing the community together. Winner of the Canadian Tourism Awards’ ‘Culinary Tourism Experience’ and a two-time finalist in the BC Tourism Industry Awards' 'Remarkable Experiences' category, The Paisley Notebook has raised over $47k for local charities since 2017.

Website: PaisleyNotebook.com

Instagram: @paisleynotebook

Facebook.com/paisleynotebook

Eat With The Season

Agri-tourism gaycations in the Thompson Okanagan with local-first ingredients

Gay men take vacations seriously. It takes months to decide on the destination, set the budget, plan activities, and coordinate with friends. It’s an entire production. Gaycations range from week-long rager getaways to European cities to parties with half-naked, ripped hotties, private island beach vacations in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, luxury cruises with circuit parties that go on non-stop for 72 – 120 hours, or educational with museums, arts, and culture.

However, agri-tourism has seen an increase on the gaycation scale, as gay men look for fresh and new vacation options that are healthy, full of adventure, and experiential. The Thompson Okanagan, in the interior of British Columbia, is one of the best gaycation destinations for agri-tourism, not just for the amazing options below, but also because of the hot temperatures, beaches, outdoor recreation activities, luxury accommodations, and tours. For an agri-tourism adventure with a gay twist, here’s why you need to know for your visit to the Thompson Okanagan.  

Agri-Tourism Gaycations

Photo credit: The Homoculture

Gay men love cooking, preserving, and amazing food. While this isn’t totally about gastronomy, the Thompson Okanagan region boasts incredible eating! The Thompson Okanagan boasts multiple climates and terrains, providing rich farmland to grow delicious food. The region is a cornucopia of farm-fresh ingredients. Farm-to-table. Up-and-down the valley there are so many amazing places to pick up fantastic ingredients. This area is known for road-side kiosks full of fresh fruits, grains, honey, and produce! There’s an abundance of Okanagan fresh ingredients for farm-to-table cooking, healthy eating, and to take home for canning, freezing, and dehydrating.

When it isn’t the food, another treasure of the region is the plethora of wine and wineries in the area. Some of the best Canadian wines come from the Okanagan Thompson. You can wet your whistle at nearly every turn because there are more than 120 vintners within the region. There’s always new wine and wineries to discover. Wine touring is an excellent way to taste some of the finest wines. Kamloops has become a budding wine region, with three new wineries, and the Okanagan Valley has become one of the few places in the world to produce late-harvest and ice wine. Wine tasting in the Thompson Okanagan is some of the boujiest agri-touristic activities you can partake in. 

Agri-Tourism Gaycations

Photo credit: The Homoculture

The North Okanagan is home to the most famous cheese in Canada, Armstrong Cheese. While the original award-winning Armstrong Cheese brand was bought up by a conglomerate company and centralized cheese making in other, larger markets, another cheese company entered the market. The Village Cheese Company respects the heritage of cheese-making in the North Okanagan, making dozens of kinds of flavoured cheeses and the best cheese curds for making homemade classic Canadian poutine you’ll ever squeak between your teeth...or cheeks. Make like a (gym) rat and get ahold of some of that milky, creamy goodness for an evening of wine and cheese pairing unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

There’s a big push to save the newly endangered honey bee in North America, and there is no better place to get the entire beekeeping experience, honey, than at Planet Bee. Planet Bee has the absolute freshest and best honey in the Okanagan—and visiting this cool beehive comes with a complete education experience. There are a variety of delicious honey flavours, honey. Don’t forget that this sweet stuff is loaded with antioxidants and is a good dietary sugar and sweetener, plus it is amazing for curing a hangover. Do it for your health and the health of the world, by checking out the honey and bees at Planet Bee.

Jellie’s last jam just might be at a well-known Okanagan fixture: The Jammery. The Jammery specializes in jellies, jams, and all things preserved. The only “Jammery” in the world, The Jammery is so awesome it has been featured on the Food Network! You can check out the entire process from fruit to jam: it’ll blow your mind how cool the process is. Get the red pepper jelly to put on a crostini with baked brie and roasted garlic to have a complete agri-tourist experience at The Jammery. 

Agri-Tourism Gaycations

Photo credit: The Homoculture

No agricultural tour of an area is complete without some libations. Sure, there are plenty of wineries in the region, but you should also check out two very fun distributors of natural alcohol. First is the BX Express Cidery, located in Vernon, BC. BX Express produces delicious craft-cider honouring the history of the region, infused with Okanagan ingredients. You’ve not had true, proper apple cider until you’ve tried cider from BX Express Cidery. Second to no one other than Okanagan Spirits. You can take your cocktailing to new heights with these spirits, produced locally from the apple orchards of the region. Okanagan spirits are made with a gluten-free spirit–thanks to their usage of those tasty red, yellow, and green fruits. Apples, not grain, are the principal ingredient used at Okanagan Spirits.

There are so many other amazing places to visit and discover in the Thompson Okanagan for a culinary adventure. Each city, town, and community offer seasonal crops and ingredients to inspire your next meal, snack, and party.

Fill your stomach and your soul full of delicious goodness with an agri-gaycation in the Thompson Okanagan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Webb is a celebrity social influencer, advocate for LGBT rights, role-model for the LGBT community and the winner of the prestigious Mr. Gay Canada – People’s Choice award. Brian has a passion for discovering and sharing special, life defining moments. Originally from the beautiful Thompson Okanagan, Brian is well known for making regular appearances throughout the year at Pride parades, festivals, street fairs, competitions, circuit parties and LGBT-friendly destinations.

IG @br_webb

Craft Breweries to Visit in the Thompson Okanagan

Local businesses, local practices, local ingredients - better beer

A few years ago, my family and I lived in Victoria. Along with the beach and bustling downtown, some of my favourite places to visit were the many breweries in town. Lots of options, lots of flavours. When we decided to move back home I was a little worried I would miss the many tastes I had gotten used to sampling.

Well, as it turns out, the Thompson Okanagan craft beer scene is thriving. Small, dedicated craft brewers have popped up, from the Similkameen to the Shuswap (Secwepemc).

While the Thompson Okanagan region is well-known as wine country, the Ale Trails have become a huge hit, big enough for a craft enthusiast like myself to no longer miss the flavours of the coast!

Red Bird Brewing

Photographer: Matt Ferguson

Cannery Brewing

Photographer: Matt Ferguson

Marten Brewpub

Photographer: Matt Ferguson

Breweries in the Thompson Okanagan

No matter where you are in the Thompson Okanagan, from Firehall Brewery in Oliver, to Barley Station Brew Pub in Salmon Arm, or as far north as Three Ranges Brewing Co. in Valemount, you’re never far from a sip of local craft beer.

Central Okanagan

The big guys are still kicking and making great beer, like Kelowna Beer Institute, Cannery Brewing and Okanagan Spring.

The smaller guys in the craft beer scene have exploded in the past five years, with new joints like BNA Brewing Co. and Red Bird Brewing in Kelowna, Red Collar Brewing Co. and Bright Eye Brewing in Kamloops (Tk'emlups) and Marten Brewing Company in Vernon (Nintle-Moos-Chin) opening up to the public. All great places to grab a cold beer and a good conversation.

One of the fastest growing craft markets is found in Penticton (Sn'pink'tn) - home to Cannery Brewing, Bad Tattoo Brewing Company, Highway 97 Brewery and The Tin Whistle Brewing Company as well as the Barley Mill Brew Pub.

All of this tradition and growth recently crowned Penticton as the #2 Beer Town in Canada (just behind Vancouver) and they sure deserve it. Whether you grab a Naramata Nut Brown from Cannery or an award-winning Los Muertos Cerveza Negra and pizza from Bad Tattoo, any trip to Penticton should include a stop at one (or a couple) of these awesome spots!

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Photographer: Matt Ferguson

Photographer: Matt Ferguson

Photographer: Matt Ferguson

Local Beer, Local Ingredients

As with anything, buying beer from local companies - especially those that use local ingredients like the amazing Crannóg Ales in Sorrento - means less impact on the environment and better, fresher beer.

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Beer Festivities

Penticton also holds the highly reviewed Fest of Ale every spring and Oktoberbest in the fall.

Kelowna (Kilawna) is home to the Great Okanagan Beer Festival in May. Each September, find favourites, new and old, at Hopscotch: The Festival of Whisky, Beer & Spirits in Kelowna.

In October, Kamloops hosts the Bavarian Oktoberfest.

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Beer on Tap at Local Restaurants

On top of all of the breweries, most local restaurants have adopted these newcomers and keep their brews on tap for thirsty patrons. A few places like Mission Tap House in Kelowna and Hop N Hog in Clearwater have great rotating taps, as well as Kelowna’s new Craft Beer Market - home to over 100 beers on tap.

Here are some of my favourite Thompson Okanagan beers for you to watch for:

• Thornless Blackberry Porter - Cannery Brewing

• Earl Pale Ale - BNA Brewing Co.

• Back Hand of God Stout - Crannóg Ales

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Thompson Okanagan Ale Trail Trip Planning

Check out the BC Ale Trails website to plan your next trip to the Thompson Okanagan Ale Trails.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matt Ferguson is a BC born and raised photographer, currently living in Kelowna. When his camera isn't strapped to him, you can usually find him at the beach with his family, skipping rocks or if it's cold enough, strapping on some skates and hitting a frozen pond.

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IG @mattfphotography
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A Benchmark of Sustainability in the BC Wine Industry

5 Defining Traits that salute the Ecotourism of the Okanagan

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The wine industry in the Okanagan is booming, and as with any agriculture-based industry, a coefficient relationship with the land that is being cultivated is integral.

When it comes to walking the ‘sustainability’ and ‘eco-friendly’ walk, few do it to the same standard as Off The Grid Organic Winery. This post details five reasons that make Off The Grid a can’t-miss ecotourism destination during your Thompson Okanagan visit.

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The Animals

The most unique aspect of Off The Grid is that they are a certified rescue for the SPCA (B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). They take private rescues, as well. Their property allows them to house a variety of animals, including goats, rabbits, chickens, and sheep!

This isn’t just an animal sanctuary, though. These furry friends work for their room + board. The fertilizer used in the vineyard is made from manure produced by the animals! The goats graze on the hillside and the roof (yes, they have a grass roof!), eliminating the need for weeding, and the chickens are responsible for bug control all over the property.

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Tasting Room

The actual building the wine shop operates out of is distinct itself. At first sight, the building isn’t going to make your jaw drop, but as you take a closer look, the sustainable approach to the tasting room is remarkable. Solar panels line one side of the roof, while a natural grass-bed lines the other, and both are complimented by a pergola roof made with recycled tin from Westbank’s original hardware store. The walls, which are straw-baled, combine with a water reservoir under the grass part of the roof to naturally regulate the building’s temperature.

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Off The Grid

The winery’s namesake was the goal the proprietors had set for themselves prior to start up, every aspect of the tasting room was designed with a purpose. Off The Grid is meant to be a self-sustaining establishment which nurtures its environment instead of depleting it. Unfortunately, West Kelowna by-laws don’t allow for buildings to be fully ‘off the grid.’ The tasting room technically uses power from the grid, but their solar panels produce enough energy that they are able to sell it back to BC Hydro and net out at $0.

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Vineyard/Production

Since their inception, Off The Grid has met the operational standard of organic certification, but are attempting to gain the title for the first time this year. The aforementioned fertilizer is a mix of manure and unused wood chips from a local company, Action Tree. The wine itself is 100% vegan and uses organic yeast. The 5-year plan is to create an underground production facility in the hillside they operate on that will be ‘off the grid.’ The facility will use gravity to produce the wine, which minimizes the need for electricity in pumps and temperature regulation. This results in less environmental impact and a superior product.

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On-site Extracurriculars

The winery hosts community outdoor yoga classes every Sunday with a fee of $10. The fee goes towards the adoption and maintenance of their animals. A yoga lesson + tasting option is also available for anyone interested in a unique private event. The vineyard has played host to several weddings, as the view speaks for itself! Lastly, there’s the on-site food truck, Round and Sharp. Round and Sharp’s mantra of sustainable eats is aided by using less plastic, a plant-based menu, compostable containers, and kitchen scraps going to the animals.

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There are so many sustainable (and regular) quirks to this winery that it is difficult to encapsulate them all in one article. Whether it’s the majority of the residents being named after Friends characters or wooden features on the building that were repurposed from a Boy Scouts cabin that was originally on the land, you’re going to be telling your friends about this place. Did I mention the wine is pretty incredible too?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darnel St.Pierre is a Communications student at Simon Fraser University, while playing for the University’s hockey team. Darnel has had stops in Revelstoke, Nelson, and Vancouver over the years but the Okanagan is home in the summer. Darnel enjoys reading poolside and discovering new wineries.

IG @darnel.stpierre

Nourishing Neighbours

JOINING TOGETHER TO FIGHT HUNGER IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE LIVE AND WORK

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I wasn't sure what to expect as I drove down to McIntyre Vineyard in Oliver to meet Troy Osborne, Director of Vineyards at Great Estates Okanagan, but as I pulled in, I had a feeling I was about to be in the presence of something special. 

The turn into the property unassuming, the dirt road up to the vineyards well-travelled, this was no tourist destination. The McKinney Road property isn't home to a tasting room, or a gift store, there is no public viewing platform. And while it does contribute to the company's comprehensive portfolio, my reason for being there was to visit the home of the Food Bank Community Garden. 

Over a hundred volunteers get together every May to plant seeds for the initiative.

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GIVING BACK

Now in its fourth year, the Community Garden was an initiative developed with the sole purpose of working to fight hunger and giving back to the local community. After discussions with the local food bank, it was apparent that the greatest challenge facing people in need was access to fresh, healthy, local food. 

Great Estates Okanagan, part of Arterra Wines Canada, includes brands such as See Ya Later Ranch, Black Sage Vineyard, Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, Sumac Ridge, Steller's Jay, Sun Rock Vineyards, and Nk'Mip Cellars. They  came together to dedicate 3 acres of land to the program, enabling them to plant, manage, and donate large quantities of produce to the Summerland, Oliver, and Penticton Food Banks. 

Every May, a team of more than 120 volunteers and employees come together to plant potatoes, carrots, onions, squash, beets, and more. Come fall, the collaborative hosts an event to harvest the produce ready for delivery to the South Okanagan organizations. 

Beyond the generous support of one of Canada’s leading wine distributors, the initiative has truly become a community effort. Local store, TRU Building Centre, donates all the seed, Growers Supply Co. donates the mulch, and to date, they have donated 89,424 lbs of fresh produce to the community. This year, they are on track to break the 100,000 lb mark, continuing the ongoing hunger fight in the communities where they live and work.

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AWARENESS THROUGH EDUCATION

One of the recipients of the initiative, The Salvation Army Penticton Community Food Bank, feeds approximately 1,000 individuals each month. Often their clientele is dealing with complex illnesses, chronic health issues and injury, or facing increased and unfortunate stresses in their lives. They require nourishment from good quality food to help ease the demands of their most difficult days. 

I spoke to Barb Stewart, the Program Coordinator at the Salvation Army, to get a better sense of how this initiative has affected their ability to help members of the community. Plagued by the common misconception that they don’t accept perishable donations, one of the primary goals of the organization over the last decade has been to establish ways to increase the amount of fresh, local produce available to those who access the food bank. Great Estates Okanagan has contributed greatly in their efforts to provide nourishing food for everyone. 

“We want the best nutrition we can possibly offer in the hamper. Great Estates Okanagan is doing so much toward that goal. We couldn’t wish for anything more.”

This year, Great Estates Okanagan will exceed 100,000 lbs of fresh produce donated since the program began 4 years ago.

One of the pillars of a strong community is a network of neighbours who are there to support each other in times of need. I feel privileged to live in a place that cares so deeply about the people that make up its fabric and is committed to the fight against hunger as we work to create a sustainable future for us all. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Niki Kennedy is a content creator and digital specialist at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. She has a passion for music, travel, and telling stories.

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Enjoy the Summer Fruit of the Okanagan Valley

Where and When to Pick Fruit in the Okanagan

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It’s summertime in the Okanagan, and that means fresh fruit! While we all appreciate places like California and Florida for providing us with fruit during the winter, we always make sure to shop local when we can. In this blog, you’ll find the different seasons for various fruits, and where are the best farms to find them.

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Cherries - July to early August 

As many from the valley know, cherries are one of our earliest crops, usually ready by Canada Day long weekend. Their season “officially” runs from July 1st to August 1st, but weather and temperature can affect that from year to year.

Outside of grapes and apples, cherries are probably the most popular fruit in the valley and have a place on most fruit stand shelves. However, two of our favourite locations to pick up these delicious fruits are Sproule & Sons Farm in Oyama, and Sun Valley Farm in Keremeos.

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Berries - July to early September

Another early crop, though it lasts a bit later into the summer, are the berries! We have blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries all starting in mid to late June, and ending their season in late August/early September. Perfect for snacking, putting in a salad or mixing in a cocktail, these berries are delectable. We love swinging by Enderberry Farm in Enderby, or Old Meadows Organics in Kelowna to pick up some of these treats.

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Peaches - late July to early September 

Mid-summer features one of our favourite fruit seasons - peaches. With the season ranging from late July to early September, you can have peaches for just the end of summer or you can eat them all year round! Our favourite spots to grab some juicy peaches are Harker’s Organics in Keremeos and Covert Farms in Oliver.

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Apples - mid August to late October 

To close out the fruit season are our world-famous apples, with a million varieties available for your enjoyment. Bite Me Organics located in Kelowna, and Klippers Organics in Cawston provide us delicious apples well into the fall.

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Grapes - tastings in September & October, production year-round

Finally, the fruit, or rather what comes from it, that the Okanagan is known for is our grapes! Our wineries have competed globally, and that can’t happen without our delicious grapes. Two of our favourite wineries are Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna, and Forbidden Fruit Winery in Cawston. These spots sell wine, but you can also sample their grapes as well in September and October.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alastair Heinrichs is a Creative Writing student from UBC-Okanagan. Alastair loves encouraging people to discover more about our region, whether that’s a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, the local food and craft beer scene or secret campgrounds.

IG @alastair.heinrichs

W alastairheinrichs.com

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